The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1887-07-30

continue through another passage to
the mortuary chamber. some three hum
dred feet from the bottom Of the shaft
The most of the mummies were found
in this chamber, and the empty cases
of others which had been plundered by
the Arabs were scattered along the
passages all the way from the chamber
to the foot of the shaft.
II got down the shaft without trouble,
and made my way along the passages
and down the staircase, stopping now
and then to study the inscriptions on
the walls. They are not as numerous
as those on the walls of the tombs of
the Kings. but many of them are new
and interesting; copied few that inn
pressed me as different from any had
seen elsewhere.
II suddenly remembered that I was
hungry and thirsty. and on looking at
my watch found that it was well along
in the afternoon; HAD been SO absorbed
in the study of the place that had
quite forgotten the lunch which left
near the foot of the ladder. intending
to eat it after was through with my
labors. The floor of the tomb is strewn
with pieces Of rock, and the same is the
case with all the tombs around Thebes
and Luxor. l had to pick my way very
carefully, and two or three times /
stumbled over some of the fragments in
consequence of the dim light supplied by
my candle. As left the mortuary cham
Der. with my thoughts in the direction
of the luncheon that awaited me, ! had
| another stumble; it was worse than all
the others. as it was accompanied by a
fall, and q fall that extinguished my
candle.
"But 1 did not regard the fall as any
thing serious, as the candle could be
relighted in q moment. Putting my
hand in my pocket for my matchbox,
found it empty. and instantly realized
the awkwardRess of my position. I
was alone in an Egyptian tomb, with
no means of striking light! The dark
ness was literally Egyptian Itseemed
to press close against the eye like
rock; perhaps my imagination had a
great deal to do with the density of the
darkness, but it certainly seemed many
degrees more dense than any thing /
had ever before experienced.
Even in the darkest night on the
surface Of the earth there is generally q
sensation of little specks Of light but
here there was absolutely nothing of
the sort. My first sensation was one of
horror. but it didn't last a great while.
As soon as could collect my senses
set about devising a way out Of my
trouble. Clearing away the fragments
of rock sufficiently to give me place
to sit down, leaned against the wall
and deliberated.
"At first / thought of trying to reach
the foot of the shaft, where would find
light and food. but little reflection
showed that l would run a great risk.
The passage-way was not regular; its
floor contained several ugly holes two
or three feet deep, and for the entire
distance the rough pieces of stone
would be so many stumbling blocks.
was certain to have good many falls,
and any one of them might disable me;
cut on the forehead might let me
bleed to death, and was far from as
sistance; but what was the alternativep
visitors might come during the day,
and / would be relieved. But suppose
there were no visitors. What then?
my friends at Luxor would become
alarmed at my absence. They knew
was intending to visit the new tomb at
Dayr-elBa haree, and a search would
be organized; but they wouldn't become
alarmed until evening, and then it
would be too late to do any thing until
next morning. Consequently, I must
pass the night in the tomb!
''Reconciling myself as best could
to the situation. / cleared off an ad-
ditional space on the. floor, 80 as to have
sufficient room to lie down. 1t was
hard bed. but great deal better than
no bed at all. II was hungry and
thirsty, and with the knowledge that
food and drink were ont of my reach,
the pangs increased until I.was half
delirous in consequence.
II tried to sleep, but my sleep was
not restful; hunger walked me every
few minutes, aud in the sleeping inter-
walls ! dreamed Of banquets where all
sorts of appetizing dishes were served,
but just as / was about to partake Of
them, walked.
IAN the Kings and Queens of ancient
Egypt passed me in review. Sleeping
or waking. they lowered about me; but
did not feel their presence a burden
half as much as that Of my hunger and
thirst They were shadowy at best,
while my PHYSICAL wants we're substan-